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chrissydamage
Silver Member
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
 Posted - 07/17/2009 : 23:39:46
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Check this array of DS-1s here:
(hold down shift to open these links in new windows) http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/ChrissyDamage/DS-1.jpg
Download the WAV samples of each pedal here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=28fc808d447a34118ef1259ff1b60e815648cc8cec7d5eefce018c8114394287
(Tip- save them all to your PC in the same folder, highlight them all, then right click and select play; turn repeat on in windows media player too and they will loop round endlessly)
Check out how the samples look here:
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/ChrissyDamage/DS-1WaveComparison.jpg
Check the Spectrum here:
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/ChrissyDamage/DS-1GraphsFrequencyvsLevel.jpg
I still think the Black label MIT sounds the best on its own for what I would want; more gain, better treble and bass and just a little bit noisier than the Japan ones.
N.B. You will need either headphones or an amp and speakers to hear the differences, its not that noticeable with internal speakers!!
DS-1s 1981 A and B are 2 different examples of the pedal from April 1981.
To record these I used:
Jackon Kelly (MIJ) with Bill Lawrence USA L500XL direct into>
AKAI S1000 sampler into>
each DS-1 plugged seperately direct into Mixing desk input(all dials on full)
Output of Mixer to PC (via behringer u control) and into Audacity(great bit of free software)
I'm probably going to be repeat the experiment using the drive channel on an amp; this experiment is a bit unfair to the older MIJs as they are more commonly used as boosters (I would expect them to sound a bit flat on their own in the same way the OD-1 does)
As soon as I can figure out how I can record this accurately I will be back for part 2 (got a silver screw long dash MIJ coming soon too; I'll add that also)
I'm quite tempted to start loosening a few screws as well to see if there might be a logical explanation for the differences in sound ;)
Anyone got any comments/suggestions/questions/ideas/wisdom/abuse etc etc
They all sound quite different don't they!!
Which one do you think is best? |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 00:04:21
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| i think you got to much free time on your hands and need to play a bit more |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 01:13:59
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You're baiting me to buy a MIT black label aren't you?
From personal experience, the long dash MIJ is the best. I haven't tried a black label MIT though. |
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chrissydamage
Silver Member
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 01:39:27
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quote:
Originally posted by DasBeef
You're baiting me to buy a MIT black label aren't you?
From personal experience, the long dash MIJ is the best. I haven't tried a black label MIT though.
Haha sorry mate I remember your post from the other forum :)
As I say though, this experiment is a bit unfair to the older Japanese ones as they are all recorded stand alone sans drive; when used on the drive channel of an amp I would agree with you 100% long dash rules :D
Stand alone the OD-1 sounds rubbish; on drive sounds awesome
I really need to figure out a way of recording them via an amp on drive for the big picture (all dials on pedals must be on max, so a smaller valve amp would be far better)...... 5w epiphone valve juinior or something you mentioned..... I think something like this might be perfect..... Does it have line out? Ive got a Hiwatt 10 solid 12" cheapo amp; it sounds awesome on mild drive but boosts the signal far too much for direct recording though line in hence me going direct through the mixing desk sans amp on this experiment
Hmmmm wheres my credit card.......... |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 03:31:09
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Hey,
Yeah, I'm rocking a stock valve junior. No line out, but the connection to the speaker is just a standard guitar jack, so I'm assuming you could just unplug that, and jack it into whatever you want. I'd be careful with the volume though.
The long dash certainly sounds amazing through the VJ. Gun to my head, I really couldn't pick a favourite dirt pedal through this amp between my Tech 21 Double Drive, and the long dash DS-1.
So yeah, I'm now baiting you for a purchase. You NEED a tech 21 Double Drive. Not the 3 switch programable one, but the stand alone pedal. My one is blue, but here's a pic...
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Edited by - DasBeef on 07/18/2009 03:32:24 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 08:30:07
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Hi chrissydamage
Any chance you might put all the sound files into a single ZIP?
I know it won't compress the MP3's, but it's much easier to download a single file.
Thanks.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 07/18/2009 15:42:12 |
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chrissydamage
Silver Member
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 15:30:45
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Hi chrissydamage
Thanks for the single zip file.
Using my NearField Monitors, I found it difficult to hear any significant difference/s.
Even with my good cans. I did hear a lot of high frequency artifacts.
Perhaps because you had all the knobs maxed, including the tone control.
I remember Bossarea post test a few years ago, he had 5 or 6 DS-1's
of various vintages, wired up in a BCB-60.
He also commented that it was difficult to tell the difference.
I guess we all need Zentropa (Zen) with his calibrated ears,
to listen to your tests, & comment.
On a slightly different note.
I have a real preference for the Melanhaed Mod for the DS-1's
This was a mod that Bob Melanson, posted on a few different forums many years ago.
He also posted the mod here about a year or so ago.
Nice guy - great player.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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FunkenGrooven
Silver Member
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 17:03:28
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quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
i think you got to much free time on your hands and need to play a bit more
Well Zerk no one has ever accused you of being subtle |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 00:10:08
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quote:
Originally posted by FunkenGrooven
quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
i think you got to much free time on your hands and need to play a bit more
Well Zerk no one has ever accused you of being subtle
 .... no offence..but i'm sort of the same on this...MIT/MIJ long dash short dash..... if it sounds good job done..but if it isn't floating your boat you are allowed to experiment with other brands of overdrives..... you won't be struck down with a bolt of lightening..... Bossarea did a comparison a while back with all his DS-1's and found very little differences...so much of all this shit depends on THE GUITAR,THE AMP,THE SPEAKERS THE MIC AND THE ROOM......or whatever software you record into.... |
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Right Foot Boss
Gold Member
USA
881 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 06:50:33
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There is a MIT version DS-1, early 90s I think that has gotten a reputation for being the worst version. Very harsh and shrill, from what I remember reading, and that's saying a lot for a DS-1.
If anyone remembers what I am talking about and could give me a definitive date of production for these DS-1 disasters I'd be very thankful. I'd like to hunt one down on the bay and hear it for myself. |
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chrissydamage
Silver Member
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 13:41:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Right Foot Boss
There is a MIT version DS-1, early 90s I think that has gotten a reputation for being the worst version. Very harsh and shrill, from what I remember reading, and that's saying a lot for a DS-1.
If anyone remembers what I am talking about and could give me a definitive date of production for these DS-1 disasters I'd be very thankful. I'd like to hunt one down on the bay and hear it for myself.
Out of this test I would say that the silver labels post '98 are the worst by a long distance, shrill, brittle, and noisy; real cheap sounding in comparison to my ears. I think the earlier MIT black label ('88-?) sounds quite different to the rest so maybe this is the one?
It is quite hard to tell the difference though; much easier when you are standing in front of an amp; but very hard to convey these differences with samples graphs and stuff to prove I'm not going mad.... I'm starting to question my sanity and my ears a little now :)
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 16:34:15
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| I agree that early MIT with the same op amp as the MIJ are thye best ones, but I think the silver screw ones are a tad better sounding. Not for the screw of course, but there are better/different components (capacitors etc) in them. This have been up in a topic here, and I have tested a lot of DS-1�s from different periods and I think I like SS the most. |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 21:07:27
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quote:
Originally posted by FunkenGrooven
quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
i think you got to much free time on your hands and need to play a bit more
Well Zerk no one has ever accused you of being subtle
Hey i really don't care about MIJ,MIT all for these pedals have different components with all different tolerances,So basically they are all individual so if it sounds good use it! |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2009 : 21:28:15
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BUT.. this is a BOSS collector and user forum. The discussions SHOULD be mindlessly obsessed with variances and opinions about the pedals since, well, THIS IS THE PLACE online to really get that kind of info. I'm thankful for threads like this, or even the family pictures thread.. helpful to the collector community on the whole.
Practicing and playing are fine and fun, but that's not the thrust here. There is plenty of that spread around the interwebs.
I appreciate the time and effort taken in the testing and comparison of these pedals.. thanks!! I liked the smoothness in the 1984 model, but also the black-label MIT. The 1981s were nice, I was hoping to like those best - mine are from that time period. |
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Sixbladeknife
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2009 : 05:56:06
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| Well honestly, it was difficult to tell anything from those clips- a two second power chord really won't reveal any significant difference between versions. I've owned three different DS-1's- MIT early 2000's version which was nasty, unmusical and shrill, and an Analogman modded MIT which was a huge improvement tonally but took away too much gain, and an '86 MIJ version which I stll have and is the best of the three. The '86 is fuller sounding than the others and just sounds the best, although the tone knob must be kept under 12 o' clock in order for it to sound good. Not my main dirt pedal, but it's fun to mess w/ once in a while... |
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Topic |
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Take the DS-1 Challenge!! Which one is best?
